The Brooklyn Nets will have an important decision to make with the No. 6 overall pick later this month when the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft happens on Jun. 23. Brooklyn has been linked to various players throughout the pre-draft process, especially guys like Arkansas guard Darius Acuff Jr. and Tennessee forward Nate Ament. Who should the Nets choose, though?
In recent mock drafts by Bleacher Report and the Associated Press, the Nets were projected to take Acuff or Ament with the No. 6 pick, respectively, which is interesting given the different roles that they would serve in Brooklyn. If the Nets select Acuff, they would be leaning into the fact that he can be a lead ball-handler for an NBA offense while Ament presents as a forward with great positional size that can hopefully develop into an elite shotmaker at the next level.
“They’ll most likely be looking at the top guards, with Darius Acuff Jr. the type of engine who’ll look attractive to a rebuilding team. Per sources, he’s already conducted a workout for Brooklyn,” Jonathan Wasserman wrote on Acuff for Bleacher Report. Acuff seems to have all the tools necessary to be the kind of guard that can elevate the players around him, especially with his ability to score the ball. Ament has his own qualities as well.
“There’s an intriguing blend of versatility and fluid athleticism with the 6-10, 211-pound freshman, a playmaking passer and No. 2 scorer (16.7) for a team that reached the NCAA Elite Eight,” Aaron Beard and Brian Mahoney wrote of Ament in their mock draft for the Associated Press. Ament showed what he could do as a scorer during his lone season with the Volunteers, but there are concerns about whether his scoring will translate to the more physical NBA.
What makes Brooklyn’s decision interesting is that they are likely considering more players than just Acuff and Ament, but they can also decide to move up or back depending on what offers are on the board. Be that as it may, Acuff and Ament have each drawn their share of buzz in connection to the Nets so general manager Sean Marks and the front office will have to decide which guy is the right fit for this rebuild.
This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: Should the Nets choose Darius Acuff or Nate Ament in 2026 NBA Draft?
Reporting by Sharif Phillips-Keaton, Nets Wire / Nets Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Sharif Phillips-Keaton, Nets Wire | USA TODAY Network
